Bristol Beacon: A live music landmark shines anew
A defining moment of cultural transformation in the South West.
Five years after closing its doors, the transformed Bristol Beacon reopens to the public on Thursday, 30 November. To celebrate the occasion, Paraorchestra – an ensemble of disabled and non-disabled professional musicians - will perform a groundbreaking audio-visual commission.
Historic concert halls are reborn
The Arts Council has contributed £22 million in capital funding towards the redevelopment of Bristol Beacon – our largest investment in the last 10 years, following the launch of Aviva Studios in Manchester. Through the generous support of Bristol City Council, Bristol Music Trust, partners, and individual donors, this once in a generation project secured a total package of £132 million. For the region’s music makers, audience members, visitors, learners and educators, high-quality music experiences are now futureproofed for centuries to come.
The improved venue includes four concert halls boasting world-class acoustics and stage technology that rivals the best in Europe. The versatile space can accommodate more than 800 events per year and aims to be completely carbon-neutral by 2030. Accessibility and comfort are prioritised throughout, with lift access, gold-standard restrooms, clear sightlines, state-of-the-art temperature controls, and spacious seating.
There’s no doubt that Bristol, a city steeped in rich musical history, deserves a national landmark of the scale and ambition of Bristol Beacon. It’s a dream come true for people living and working in the West Country. I can’t wait to see audiences experience its magic for themselves - everybody is welcome.” - Darren Henley, Arts Council England, Chief Executive
Bristol, a world-class music city
Beacon’s relaunch cements Bristol’s reputation as a world-class music city. Its technical facilities and international programme of music, comedy, podcasts, and more will delight gig-goers with over 800 events a year, generating an estimated £13 million per year for the local economy.
Below ground, budding musicians can meet, practice and record in the Bristol Water Sound Studios, a teaching and rehearsal space that makes use of the building’s historic cellars. The venue estimates its educational activity will reach 30,000 children and young people per year.
“What excites all of us here is the potential of the new Bristol Beacon, which will allow us to continue delivering transformative musical moments to all Bristolians,” says Chief Executive, Louise Mitchell, adding “from weekly one to one opportunities for care experienced young people, to sessions with those living with dementia, in hospitals, in community halls and in 92% of Bristol’s schools, for 7,000 hours of music lessons a week. It all comes back to this building – it is our engine, it is our home, it’s Bristol’s stage for everyone.”
The future of classical music
Led by award-winning artistic director Charles Hazlewood, Bristol-based ensemble Paraorchestra will perform with fellow locals Surgeons Girl and Limbic Cinema, to bring a specially commissioned sound and light performance titled ‘Trip the Light Fantastic’.
As part of our National Portfolio investment programme 23-26, Paraorchestra advocates for the importance of inclusivity in music creation and education. Their genre-bending large-scale productions introduce new audiences to the art form and challenge what classical music can be in the 21st century.
The classical focus continues from 19 December until June 2024, as Orchestral Season 2023/24 takes over the venue. The programme begins with an original fanfare by Mark-Anthony Turnage and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Look out for Odyssey on 28 January, Jonathon Dove’s powerful music-drama that tells the real story of refugees. Not to mention performances by London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic, Royal Northern Sinfonia, and two international collectives.
All together now
On 2 December, the festivities continue with Housewarming - a weekend festival by Bristol, for Bristol. The free day-to-night event features 60 acts under one roof, from grassroots groups and local legends to established artists and emerging talent. Fun for all ages, no ticket required.
This major refurbishment cements the Beacon as one of Europe’s flagship venues and positions it as a powerhouse for the showcasing and development of local talent. We are very proud to support this ambitious project as part of our 10-year strategy Let’s Create – future proofing access to arts and culture for all so that every local citizen reaps the benefits for generations to come.” - Phil Gibby, Arts Council England, Area Director South West
